Truckee man, 27, arrested in officer-involved shooting in Verdi

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TRUCKEE, Calif. - A 27-year-old Truckee man was arrested Monday on suspicion of various charges stemming from an incident 10 days ago in which he was shot by a Washoe County Sheriff's Office deputy, police said Tuesday.

Michael Nelson Heil was shot at about 3:48 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, in the area of the Gold Ranch Casino, located at 350 Gold Ranch Road in Verdi, according to the Reno Police Department.

A preliminary investigation revealed the deputy - whose name has not been released - contacted Heil, who was suspected of illegally hitchhiking and who resembled the description of a recent stolen vehicle suspect, according to a Tuesday afternoon press release from Reno Police.

Upon a search of Heil, the deputy saw what he believed was a firearm concealed inside Heil's clothing, which Heil eventually said was a revolver. The deputy then attempted to handcuff Heil, who fled on foot. During the foot chase, a Taser was deployed on Heil, who then turned toward the deputy "while reaching with his hands to the area on his person where the firearm was believed to be concealed," according to police.

The deputy then drew his service weapon and shot Heil, who was then taken into custody and transported to Renown Medical Center for treatment of undisclosed injuries. The deputy was not harmed. Officers located a revolver in the bushes in the path of the foot chase, according to police.

Heil, who was critically injured in the shooting, was released from the hospital Monday evening and was booked into the Washoe County Jail on charges of resisting a public officer, soliciting a ride, ex-felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a concealed weapon. Heil is an ex-felon, stemming from an assault with a deadly weapon charge in 2008 out of Truckee, police said.

According to media reports, Heil remained in custody Tuesday on $30,500 bail.

The deputy has been placed on routine paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation. Pursuant to Washoe County protocol, the investigation will be conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies, with Reno Police Department taking the lead. When the preliminary investigation is complete, it will be submitted to the Washoe County District Attorney's Office for an initial determination as to whether the shooting was justified under Nevada law.

Heil's name was released Monday, nine days after the incident. No further information will be released by Reno Police until the investigation concludes.

Verdi is located about 15 minutes east of Truckee, off Interstate 80 en route to Reno.